have indeed divers
names, but differ not in substance." "It followeth indeed," quoth I.
"This then, which is one and simple by nature, man's wickedness
divideth, and while he endeavoureth to obtain part of that which hath no
parts, he neither getteth a part, which is none, nor the whole, which he
seeketh not after." "How is this?" quoth I. "He who seeketh after
riches," quoth she, "to avoid want, taketh no thought for power, he had
rather be base and obscure, he depriveth himself even of many natural
pleasures that he may not lose the money which he hath gotten. But by
this means he attaineth not to sufficiency, whom power forsaketh, whom
trouble molesteth, whom baseness maketh abject, whom obscurity
overwhelmeth. Again, he that only desireth power, consumeth wealth,
despiseth pleasures, and setteth light by honour or glory, which is not
potent. But thou seest how many things are wanting to this man also. For
sometimes he wanteth necessaries, and is perplexed with anxieties, and
being not able to rid himself, ceaseth to be powerful, which was the
only thing he aimed at. The like discourse may be made of honours,
glory, pleasures. For since every one of these things is the same with
the rest, whosoever seeketh for any of them without the rest obtaineth
not that which he desireth." "What then?" quoth I. "If one should desire
to have them all together, he should wish for the sum of happiness, but
shall he find it in these things which we have showed cannot perform
what they promise?" "No," quoth I. "Wherefore we must by no means seek
for happiness in these things which are thought to afford the several
portions of that which is to be desired." "I confess it," quoth I, "and
nothing can be more true than this." "Now then," quoth she, "thou hast
both the form and causes of false felicity; cast but the eyes of thy
mind on the contrary, and thou shalt presently espy true happiness,
which we promised to show thee." "This," quoth I, "is evident, even to
him that is blind, and thou showedst it a little before, while thou
endeavouredst to lay open the causes of the false. For, if I be not
deceived, that is true and perfect happiness which maketh a man
sufficient, potent, respected, famous, joyful. And that thou mayest know
that I understood thee aright, that which can truly perform any one of
these because they are all one, I acknowledge to be full and perfect
hap